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Would an '81 733 5sp tranny, drive shaft & RR end bolt right into my '81 e12? I know the car is longer, is that just the body, or is the chassis included? I know my automatic tranny is getting up there in mileage, so, I want to be prepared to do what I wanted in the first place. 5sp, yeah, baby! Thanx for any input,,,,Greg

The bad news is, no, the E23 driveshaft is longer, and the diff is completely different and not interchangable. The good news is the tranny is right and you can use your auto D/S with a 5 speed, I've done it 3 times now and they're off by a touch, but close enough. You will still need a crossmember, shifter support and shift rod, which are either E12 5 speed or 85 535i 5 speed specific. Well, more than that since it's a conversion, pedal base and all that. But the tranny and bellhousing is a big start. And if you're good with cutting and welding, you could make the shifter support and rod work, I've shortend a couple with good results.

Thanx Mike; now it's decision time. I don't even know what the owner is asking for the car. Greg [/img][/list][/list][/code][/quote][/i]

Hi again, Mike.
Can I use the clutch master cylinder & mounting stuff? What about the foot pedal box, or whatever it's called? And the pedals? I know I'm puttin' you to work; thank you, very much, Mike. Greg

GripGreg wrote:Hi again, Mike.
Can I use the clutch master cylinder & mounting stuff? What about the foot pedal box, or whatever it's called? And the pedals? I know I'm puttin' you to work; thank you, very much, Mike. Greg

You could use the slave that's mounted on the tranny, and don't forget the clutch and flywheel and mounting bolts, which are different between auto and manuals, but you would need an E12 specific pedal box and pedals, and I think for some reason the master is different on E23's, but E21's use the same if you're going the used route. The flywheel thru the end of the tranny is a lot, but there's a lot more to it also that has to come from an E12 or be adapted.

Maybe I should make a list, I've been working on a 5 speed conversion FAQ.

Gathering data and staying out of the way.